To protect the interests of tenants, who in some cases suffer at the hands of rogue landlords, the UK government has implemented a range of measures such as a rent deposit scheme and compulsory electrical safety testing.
By adhering to the electrical safety guidelines and obtaining an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), the landlord is proving to the tenant that the electrics within their rented home are of a good standard and safe to use. The latest legislation extended the requirement for electrical safety testing from HMOs to all rental properties such that the electrical installations must be inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every five years. It also stipulates that every landlord must provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their tenant(s), and to their local authority if asked to do so.
But what does an EICR actually cover?
The inspection and test
The inspection and test will examine the switches, wiring, light fittings and sockets. All parts of the fixed installation will also be tested and inspected.
Arranging an inspection
It’s important that any electrical safety test is carried out by a registered and competent person or company. Landlords have a real responsibility to ensure that their tenants are safe, so any testing and/or remedial work must be carried out to the UK national safety standard (BS 7671). When the electrical contractor presents the EICR, they are confirming whether the installation conforms to those standards. If not, the report will document what improvements should be made and where they are.
General electrical safety
While an EICR gives both the landlord and the tenant formal protection, there are additional precautions that can be taken with electrical safety. Landlords can, for example, periodically visit the property – with prior notice – to carry out a visual inspection to check that the plugs, sockets, light switches and wiring are in good order. This is also an opportunity to make sure that the tenant isn’t overloading plug sockets or extension leads, and it conveys a positive message that the landlord is genuinely concerned about the tenant’s welfare. Finally, it’s advisable to keep a logbook to record the dates of any electrical inspections and any findings that resulted.
For Mark Smith, owner of MS Electrical Services, the current electrical safety testing regulations are a great step forward for landlords and tenants alike. ‘At MS Electrical we’re passionate about electrical safety and we’re proud to be helping landlords across Cambridge to comply,’ comments Mark. ‘Arranging electrical safety inspections when they’re due, obtaining a valid EICR and sharing that with the tenant all adds up to a win:win scenario. The landlord wins because they can rest assured that they’re complying with all the legal regulations and the tenant wins because they know that their safety is being taken seriously. What’s more, using a registered electrician such as ourselves means that the landlord can be confident about the standard of our work and the legitimacy of the EICR itself.’
MS Electrical offer electrical safety testing for landlords in Cambridge, so please contact us to request a no-obligation quotation.